American Politics Fellows

Jack Buchholz is a sophomore from Cape Charles, Virginia who is studying Government at the College. Jack graduated Cum Laude from Millbrook School in upstate New York. He has been interested in politics and social justice since he read about Emmett Till in 5th grade. This passion has become focused on fair housing, and he hopes to make a difference in that field in the near future. On campus, he is an active member of the Men’s Ultimate Frisbee team which finished 13th in the country last year. Jack spent the summer of his senior year getting to know Washington, DC through the St. Albans School of Public Service. He enjoys making sorbet and woodworking.

Sam Burridge is a sophomore at the College studying government and economics. He grew up in Newburyport, Massachusetts, but moved to Middleburg, Virginia in 2013 to attend Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville, Virginia. While living in northern Virginia, Sam frequently visited the nation’s capital both for leisure and for his extracurriculars: in all four years of high school he participated in the North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN) hosted by Georgetown University. A self-described history buff, Sam worked this past summer as a teaching assistant and counselor for the National History Academy, where he enjoyed every minute of helping teach in the classroom and leading history field trips and historic site visits (especially to the District). Since coming to William & Mary, Sam has joined the College’s Debate Society and regularly competed in tournaments at American University and George Washington University. After college, Sam is looking forward to a potential career in law and politics, but in his free time is currently working on his first novel.

Jane Geiger is a sophomore from Richmond, VA majoring in Government and Religious Studies. Jane fell in love with international studies thanks to her eighth grade teacher (a W&M alumnus) and his insistence that she get involved in Model UN. Here at William and Mary, Jane is still involved in Model UN though her participation in the International Relationship Club, enjoys performing with the W&M Theatre Department, and serves as a Orientation Aid. Jane enjoys her social sorority, swimming, and Swedish Fish. Jane is also a research assistant on campus, focusing on New Judicial Federalism and the 8th Amendment.

Jack is a junior from the bustling town of Dupont, Georgia, which is about 2 hours from Jacksonville, Florida and 4 hours from Atlanta. Jack has always had an interest in working in the government, but became convinced he wanted to work in counter terrorism and security after taking the International Security course with Professor Smith and doing some readings on the subject over the summer. On campus he is a member of Darkhorse, the mens ultimate frisbee team and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Off campus, he enjoys playing ultimate, skiing, hiking, and scuba diving. He also enjoys following baseball, soccer, and football. This summer he is  excited to live in the nation's capital and experience the United States government up close, as well as participating in an internship.

Taylor Jones is a Sophomore from Fairfax Station, Virginia majoring in Government with a minor in History. On campus, she is a pole-vaulter for the William and Mary Track Team, an Academy Ambassador, a mentee for the Law Mentoring Program, a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta & Phi Eta Sigma Honor Societies, and serves on the Student Athlete Inclusive Excellence Committee. Taylor enjoys cooking and reading in her spare time. Growing up in the DC area has influenced her to develop a sharp interest in politics. Her particular interests include studying the effect of policy and legislation on marginalized communities. Taylor is excited to be a part of the 2019 American Politics Institute and hopes to use this opportunity to apply knowledge learned in the classroom to real world experiences.

Cassidy Milne is a sophomore majoring in International Relations and minoring in Economics. Although she grew up just 30 minutes outside of Washington DC, in Clifton, VA, she has never been able to experience the governmental side of the city and is looking forward to getting to know it from the inside this summer! At William and Mary, Cassidy is in Reveille A Cappella. She also works with the Greater Arc of Williamsburg, both as a literacy tutor through her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, and as a best buddy through William and Mary’s new Best Buddies chapter. Cassidy is a dual citizen and loves to travel as much as she can to visit her family in the UK and experience other new countries around the world. She hopes to better develop her interest in international affairs and government at the DC Summer Institute.

Graham Pfeiffer, is a sophomore from New York pursuing a major in Government and a minor in economics. His main interest is in national security, and the study of democracy and democratic institutions. On campus he is a member of the International Relations Club, and the William and Young Democrats. He has worked on political campaigns in both New York and in Virginia. After College Graham hopes to go to law school and study constitutional law, and one day use this knowledge to be a Federal Prosecutor. Graham has only been to DC once before and hopes to gain experience with and knowledge of America's democratic institutions first hand.

Stefan Pruessmann is a sophomore planning on double majoring in history and government. Stefan is from Henrico, Virginia, just outside of Richmond, where history and government have long gone hand in hand. On campus, Stefan is very active in FASA (Filipino American Student Association), and a member of the Botetourt Squat. In his free time, he likes to run, bike, and hike. After graduation he hopes to attend law school. Stefan looks forward to the educational and professional opportunities offered by the institute, as well as (having lived in Hamburg, Germany with his grandmother) once again living in a city with a proper metro system. 

Mary Olivia is a sophomore at the College of William & Mary studying Public Policy. She is from Arlington, VA where she completed the International Baccalaureate Program at Washington-Lee High School. She has interned for Winrock International and Arlington County Government. This past summer, she was an Organizing for Action Fellow and learned how to create change in her community, focusing specifically on how to gain support for the Equal Rights Amendment. On campus, Mary Olivia currently works at Campus Recreation and holds an executive position in her Sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. Growing up in the DC area and being around people who work in the government, has inspired her to want to make change in her community through government work. She is excited about the opportunities she will have through the DC Summer Institute.

Tyler Swartzell is a Junior at the College studying Government and will be participating in the American Politics Institute this summer. Prior to attending William & Mary, Tyler spent approximately 3 years in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman stationed with the 1st Armored Division. On campus, Tyler loves to volunteer in the community, and is active with the Co-Ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. After graduation, Tyler plans to use his demonstrated passion for public service to further serve the country in Washington. Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, he is excited to live in the capitol and to learn more of the political process and the professional opportunities it offers

Kelsey Vita is a junior at the College of William and Mary studying Government and English. On campus, she is serving her third term as the Class of 2020 President, an executive board member of the Young Democrats, and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. This past summer, Kelsey interned with the York County Commonwealth Attorney's office, where she shadowed prosecutors and learned about the Virginia judicial system. Her true legal passion is human rights law, which she hopes to pursue during her internship through the American Politics Summer Institute and at law school after graduation. Kelsey loves used books, coffee, playing the piano, and her three cats.

Daniel Xu is a sophomore from Great Falls, Virginia, with plans to double major in Government and Public Policy. He has prioritized active and meaningful involvement, both during and prior to his time at William & Mary--taking on important roles in many of the organizations he is a part of. Whether it was sitting in on School Board meetings as the Fairfax County Public School system's Student President, welcoming new students to the Tribe as an Orientation Aide, or serving on the Executive Board of his fraternity, he has never shied away from the responsibilities associated with being a leader in one's community. After college, he intends to attend Law School and potentially get involved in his local politics. In his free time, Daniel enjoys following NBA basketball, watching Netflix, or simply grabbing a meal with his friends. It is life's simplest pleasures--food and friendship--that can often prove to be the most rewarding. He is eager to experience the academic and professional dynamics of living in the capitol, and cannot wait for the D.C. Summer Institute to begin!